Mets eliminated after 3-2 defeat to N.Y. Gremlins

Despite allowing just four hits to the 13th-ranked New York Gremlins, the Ashland Mets were ousted from the International Softball Congress World Tournament following a 3-2 defeat Wednesday.

The Gremlins built a 3-0 lead through three innings before the Mets struck back with a pair of runs in the fourth -- both coming on solo home runs from Jeff Wilson and Chris Hineline. But Hineline was the only Ashland runner to reach base the rest of the game, when he was left stranded on second base in the top of the seventh.

"We really coulda shoulda won that game," Mets coach Kevin Scott said. "But like I told the guys, we played four games (in the tournament), scored (13) runs and only gave up five, so our defense and pitching was great the whole week."

After winning back-to-back games in the tournament (4-1 and 7-0), Wilson again went the distance in the circle, striking out six, walking four and giving up just the four hits. Gremlins pitcher Bill Hillhouse (four hits, six strikeouts) improved to 3-0 in the tournament after throwing four innings, and Bryan Newton closed the final three innings with six strikeouts.

"When you're playing the top 24 teams in the world, any win is a good day," said Scott, whose team's two losses both came by just one run. "So we were happy with the way we played."

Ashland finishes the summer after playing 40 games against a highly upgraded schedule, according to Scott. The Mets were 19-21 overall.

Stockpack games stalled by rain

Already 1-0 in the ISC II Tournament of Champions this week, Ashland Stockpack got its second day of action pushed back Wednesday when heavy rains in Rock Island, Ill., washed out afternoon play.